Japans total fuel market, the world's third-largest, is shrinking. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) forecasted in April 2010 that Japanese total fuel demand would decline by an average 3.5 percent annually through March 2015, due to changes in social structure and global warming countermeasures. It is considered that the surplus refining capacity is around 20%. A new regulation was announced in July 2010 by METI for Japanese refiners to boost their capacity to process heavy oil into lighter oil products by March 2014 either by introducing new residue cracking units or reducing refining capacity. Under the circumstances, Japanese refiners focus on advanced integration between refineries and petrochemical complexes to keep cost effectiveness. Japanese petrochemical complexes have been established within affiliated companies' integration since early times. In recent years, it became difficult to reduce cost further through affiliated company's own efforts only. Therefore the scale of integration is becoming wider by accepting participants beyond company's boundaries. This paper discusses the examples of integration and industrial symbiosis in Chiba area (near Tokyo) that Idemitsu has participated in. Chiba area is a "Major supply base to Japanese industry". This area includes four refineries, five steam crackers and steel production. In conclusion, Japanese refiners will continue to survive through integration between refineries and petrochemical complexes, and will seek further efficiency and rationalization with reducing inefficient refining capacity. The integration is not only cost effective but also value-added, and will contribute to carbon dioxide reduction and rural environment preservation.
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